DCU Center gets $5M toward renovation

Thursday

Jun 12, 2014 at 10:16 PM

WORCESTER — State Sens. Michael O. Moore, D-Millbury, and Harriette L. Chandler, D-Worcester secured $5 million toward the final phase of the DCU Center expansion and renovation project Thursday through an amendment to the state Legislature's general capital bond bills.

The final phase of the DCU Center project includes improvements, repairs, maintenance, expansion and energy efficiency upgrades to the facility, according to the senators.

Mr. Moore said the funding will help create construction jobs and generate new jobs in the areas of hospitality and the restaurant business generated by an anticipated increase in demand from additional events held at the DCU Center., which is owned by the city of Worcester.

"This funding gives the city more resources to attract visitors and new businesses to the area," he said.

Ms. Chandler, meanwhile, pointed out that over the past three years the DCU Center missed out on 17 achievable events because of a lack of hotel room space in the city and the facility itself.

With the planned upgrades, improvements and expansion, she said, Worcester and the surrounding region will be better able to capture additional events and conferences.

The $5 million covers a portion of the final phase of the project; the entire renovation project is expected to cost about $30 million.

Work in the final phase includes relocation and reconfiguration of support facilities, such as locker rooms, administrative offices and sporting event support areas; completion of mechanical and technology upgrades for the facility; expansion of the arena's concourse for greater movement of patrons and further increase of concession capacity; and enhanced and increases security features, such as camera installation.